Vets’ views sought on snaring

Animal protection charities OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland are seeking views from the veterinary profession on the use of snares in Scotland.

New regulations to govern the use of snares were introduced under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, but the charities point to numerous cases of severe animal suffering due to the continued use of these traps.

They have now created an online survey to gather views from vets and vet nurses on the use of snares. Information gathered will be incorporated in a new report and campaign aimed at achieving an outright ban on snaring in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is required to complete a review of the snaring legislation by the end of 2016.

League Scotland Director Robbie Marsland said: “Five years ago, we said snares were cruel and indiscriminate killers. We said that Scotland should be snare-free. The Parliament disagreed and said it would regulate the use of snares. We said you can’t regulate cruelty. The Parliament agreed to review the situation again in 2016.

“It’s 2016, The League Against Cruel Sports and OneKind have come together to have one more big push on making Scotland snare-free.

“We are combining our resources, supporters, policy expertise and our media and political contacts to form a joint campaign calling for a Snare-Free Scotland.”

OneKind Director Harry Huyton added: “It’s vital that we gather the views of veterinary professionals, who have a full understanding of the welfare impacts of snares associated with, for example, capture, injury, fear, starvation, and dehydration.

“When the Scottish Parliament carries out its review it is absolutely critical it is furnished with up to date, accurate information on the true picture of snaring in Scotland.

“Therefore we are urging all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in Scotland to fill in the short survey and to share it with colleagues. Practitioners outside Scotland can also share their views by answering a general question on the issues.”

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is available at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/vetsnaresurvey until 15 July 2016.